Learning Modules for 7th– 12th Grade Life Sciences Plant Reproduction Learning Modules for 7th– 12th Grade Life Sciences

Today’s Workshop Pollen Crime Lab + Seed Dispersal Labs created to teach students about plant reproduction and life cycle Incorporate two major stages of plant reproduction (fertilization & seed production) Fun, hands-on activities that incorporate real-life scenarios (forensics & competition)

Pollen Crime Scene Activity

Why Pollen? Reinforces concepts of plant reproduction Easily stained and visualized using microscopes Unique and diverse morphology Real-world application that appeals to students Incorporates investigation and experimentation techniques

Pre-Lab Presentation Structure of a flower and reproductive organs Structure of pollen grain How do scientists use pollen to answer questions about organisms and their environment Using pollen in crime and accident scenes Video: time lapse pollen grain germination

Pollen Crime Scene Activity Examine the pollen structure from four plant sources and determine the guilty suspect of an assault.

Flowers found at each suspect’s home Each lab group: Pre-made slide: Flowers found at each suspect’s home Victim Suspect 1 Suspect 2 Suspect 3

Worksheet

Learning Objectives Use experimental and investigatory techniques (create hypotheses, collect data, draw conclusions) Improve microscopy skills Identify and distinguish unique biological species Recognize real-life applications of plant biology

California Learning Standards 7th Grade Life Sciences: Structure and Function in Living Systems (5 a, f) Investigation and Experimentation (7 a, c, d) High School Biology: Genetics (2b) Ecology (6a) Evolution (7d)

Assessment Worksheets, lab write-ups Exam questions, quizzes Building upon learned knowledge on subsequent activities

Seed Dispersal Activities Objectives: Educate students about an important stage of plant reproduction Teach students how to recognize the different mechanisms plants use to disperse their seeds Incorporate material pertaining to plant competition and inbreeding depression

Name That Diaspore!! (Seed Dispersal Lab I) Students will be presented with a diverse array of plant diaspores and will be asked to determine the mechanism by which they are likely to disperse. *Diaspore = seed + any additional tissues that assist in dispersal

Worksheet

Build Your Own Diaspore! (Seed Dispersal Lab II) Students will be given craft materials (construction paper, glue, paper clips, etc.) to construct their own plant diaspores that will ride the wind. Each group of students will compete their seeds to determine which model is m the most efficient wind-disperser.

Worksheet

High School Modifications Pollen Activity: Include more details about plant reproduction: double fertilization, autogamy vs. allogamy, mating systems, meiosis & mitosis, gametophytes & sporophytes Seed Dispersal Activities: Inbreeding depression, plant competition and other ecological mechanisms, more details in plant physiology

Questions?